How do you introduce yourself as a sales representative?

You've been selling for years and are now ready to move into your own business.  But what should you say when someone asks you "What's your background?" or "Tell me about yourself"? How can you really describe the skills and experience needed to run a successful online freelance business?

I'm sure we all have our own answers -- but it isn't always clear just exactly who they're supposed to be aimed at. So today, let's look at some of those questions in more detail so you'll know precisely what to answer!

How would you describe yourself as a good salesperson?

When asked this question, my first instinct is usually something along the lines of "a great communicator." But there's a lot more to being effective than simply having a way with words (and a few other things). You need to think through carefully whether you're actually able to convey the message you want them to receive. After all, if you don't believe in yourself then why should anyone else? It might not even occur to you that you'd like to work with others until you get out there and start finding evidence that you can indeed communicate effectively.

So before answering, ask yourself what kind of client you hope to attract -- people looking to hire freelancers or businesses looking to buy services. If you're trying to win over new customers, consider your audience. Are you writing primarily to existing clients or new prospects? And also consider their needs. What problems do they face? What pain points are keeping them awake at night? Do they feel overwhelmed by too much information or lack confidence in making decisions? This helps you to craft your response accordingly.

It goes without saying that you shouldn't lie either -- especially if you haven't gained any testimonials from previous employers/clients. Instead focus on giving examples of instances where you were able to solve similar issues for past clients. Talk about how you helped them overcome challenges and make informed choices. Make sure these stories illustrate both successes and failures -- which gives the reader perspective and insight into your capabilities. Don't forget to explain why you did well in each situation, rather than merely focusing on results alone.

And remember, you aren't necessarily competing against other freelancer-types within your industry. Rather, you're aiming higher and hoping to create unique value for your prospective clients. When approaching them, try to appeal to their individual values and interests, while still showing off the benefits you offer. In many cases, this means demonstrating expertise outside of your field. For example, if you specialize in web development, talk about ways technology has improved productivity across industries and sectors -- instead of only talking about coding.

How would you describe a salesperson?

If you're looking to recruit new staff or find new clients, you probably already have ideas about what qualities you need to find in a candidate. However, sometimes when asked directly, you may struggle to articulate the exact requirements. That's because most job descriptions tend to cover broad topics such as leadership ability, communication skills, personality traits etc. While these are certainly important factors, they often miss details specific to your particular role. Think back to times when you interviewed candidates and found yourself disappointed in subsequent hiring outcomes. Why was that? More likely than not, it wasn't due to poor interviewing techniques or flawed recruitment strategies. The problem was that whoever came up with the initial list of criteria failed to take into account the specifics required to fill said position correctly. They didn't include enough context around expectations, responsibilities and qualifications.

The same thing happens with job descriptions. A recruiter could easily throw together a generic description of duties, tasks and deliverables, yet fail to fully address the actual needs of the company. As a result, when presented with your CV, applicants won't quite understand what to expect -- resulting in lower chances of landing interviews. To avoid falling victim to this trap, ensure you thoroughly read every single word of your job description. Then break down duties into actionable steps, goals and milestones. Finally, add plenty of personal anecdotes and experiences from your professional career to help paint a clearer picture of what the post entails. Doing so makes it easier for a potential employer to see beyond the standard bullet point format and recognize the valuable contribution you can provide to his team.

As far as introducing yourself as a salesperson, keep everything short and sweet. Start off by letting them know who you are and what you represent, followed by mentioning relevant accomplishments. Avoid going overboard on self promotion and boasting about your current income levels unless it truly adds value to the conversation. Also avoid listing numbers or figures -- instead refer to statistics and data based on general trends. Lastly, stick to facts and figures whenever possible. No one wants to hear vague statements like "it depends" or "we'll go with whatever works". We're here to learn about what you can do for us, so give concrete advice or solutions.

How do I sell myself as a salesperson?

One mistake many independent workers fall prey to is thinking that they need to be overly aggressive and pushy in order to land projects. On the contrary, that approach rarely wins over loyal repeat customers. People generally prefer to choose their providers wisely -- meaning that you should never underestimate the power of building relationships.

In fact, research shows that trust plays a crucial part in determining future purchases. If you have yet to build rapport with your target market, it's time to change course and adopt a different strategy. According to Brazen Life author Joshua Fields Millburn, "trust takes four actions": 1) establish credibility, 2) demonstrate reliability, 3) show respect, 4) consistently exceed expectations. By following these simple rules, you'll soon begin to develop long lasting connections with your prospects. Once trusted, you'll no longer need to pitch them -- instead they'll come knocking on your door to engage in meaningful conversations.

Another key factor in presenting yourself positively is to remain consistent. Always follow your brand guidelines, use the same tone and style throughout emails, tweets and social media updates. Plus, strive to maintain high standards of professionalism no matter what level of relationship you're currently working towards developing.

Lastly, pay attention to how you present yourself online. Social networks offer a platform for expressing yourself freely -- without worrying about censorship or repercussions. Be mindful of what you share and whom you interact with. There are countless opportunities lurking online for unscrupulous individuals to exploit vulnerable users, so take extra care to safeguard your identity and reputation. Never assume privacy settings on websites prevent others from viewing your posts or comments. Even if you don't intend to violate terms of service, unprivileged viewers could potentially glean sensitive info from public forums. If you suspect anything fishy is happening, report inappropriate content immediately. Otherwise, you risk compromising your safety and security.

How would you introduce yourself to a potential customer?

Whether you're pitching a proposal or asking for feedback on a project, sending a cold email or letter tends to produce better returns than phone calls. Not everyone has time to check their inboxes during lunch breaks or after hours -- so getting in touch via snail mail allows them to respond to your message later, once they return home. Also, since you're dealing with written correspondence, you eliminate the chance of misheard phrases or misunderstandings. Emails allow you to express thoughts clearly in text form, with minimal room for misinterpretation.

Most importantly, however, is crafting an excellent subject line. One that piques curiosity and draws readers' eyes right away. Here are three tips to bear in mind when composing your introductory email:

Use active verbs. These indicate interest and engagement, helping you to stand apart from competitors.

Be concise and direct. Keep sentences short and punchy, using bullets wherever possible.

Avoid jargon and buzzwords. Unless you're confident in your choice, stay away from industry terminology and jargon. Use language common amongst regular consumers and employees.

Don't worry about spelling and grammar errors. Just double check that you're typing accurately and speak slowly into a voice recorder. Listen back afterwards and adjust accordingly. If you're struggling to complete a task, sign off early and revisit it tomorrow. Otherwise, put aside distractions and tackle it head-first.

Have fun coming up with creative opening lines. Try starting with a compliment or greeting that highlights your knowledge of their area(s) of expertise. Or, you could reference their recent purchase decision and tell them how pleased you were to gain insight into their purchasing process. Sometimes, breaking the ice can lead to unexpected positive responses!

You’re about ready for the big meeting with your first customer—but what if they don't answer your emails or call back right away? It's easy to become frazzled when trying to work out ways to get in front of prospective buyers who may be interested in working together. Here are some tips on introducing yourself to a new client so you can win them over quickly.

If you want to make sure you're prepared before approaching someone, here's how to craft a great introductory email.

1) How do you introduce yourself?

The most important thing is to remember not to sell at this stage. You should try to establish rapport through common interests such as industry knowledge or personal experience, rather than pitching products or services directly.

It's also worth noting that people often have trouble distinguishing between professional introductions and unsolicited spammy messages. Avoid sending generic "cold" emails by including information about why you reached out and what prompted it. This makes it easier for recipients to decide whether to respond or ignore your message.

2) What kind of person would I like to meet?

Before drafting an introductory email, take time to think about what type of buyer best describes your ideal prospect. For example, if you sell technology products, consider writing something along the lines of “I hope you find this useful! My name is [Your Name] from X company. We specialize in helping businesses manage their tech needs."

3) Introduce yourself and business using a greeting card template

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel for every single contact. Instead, use templates you've found online or created specifically for cold-emailing prospects. These make it much less likely that your recipient won’t read past the salutation.

4) Be careful about opening with too many details

Beginners tend to bombard people with tons of information during the initial phase, which isn’t always necessary or helpful. Some experts recommend starting off with just one or two key points instead of bombarding them with all sorts of info. If you feel compelled to include everything, then start off slow.

5) Write a short paragraph explaining who you are

Don't underestimate the importance of brevity. Most people skim through emails, so keep things concise whenever possible. Use bullet points and bolded text to highlight your key talking points. Make sure your paragraphs flow smoothly without being choppy. And avoid long sentences.

6) Include relevant links

As mentioned above, linking to other sites helps show professionalism. However, you shouldn’t go overboard with this tactic. Don’t stuff your bio page full of hyperlinks because it looks unprofessional and distractive.

7) End on a high note

When crafting the final line, choose words that express excitement and confidence. A good way to accomplish this is to end your email with “Best Wishes/Warm Regards” followed by a signature block.

8 ) Add a personalized touch

Personalizing each piece of correspondence gives readers a sense of familiarity — especially if you send out several pieces per week. People appreciate receiving emails with specific greetings and signatures attached.

9) Give your reader something valuable

Include calls-to-action (CTA) within your emails that prompt them to follow up. CTAs encourage buyers to engage further while giving you permission to reach out in case there aren’t any updates after a certain period.

10) Keep track of leads

Create a spreadsheet where you enter pertinent data for future reference. Put titles next to rows, notes underneath columns, and dates beside entries. As you continue contacting different prospects, you’ll see patterns emerge more easily.

11) Set reminders

Set a calendar reminder for three days prior to following up with a lead, but only once you’ve received a response from them. Reminders help ensure you don’t lose track of deadlines.

12) Follow up immediately

After setting up a CTA, set aside enough time to handle responses properly. Always reply promptly to incoming inquiries, even if you didn’t receive anything in return. This shows respect towards both parties. The point is to treat others as you’d wish to be treated.

13) Send thank-you cards

Send handwritten letters thanking someone for reaching out, regardless of whether they accepted your offer or not. Mailed packages also deserve appreciation since these indicate extra effort has been put into making connections.

14) Get creative with subject headers

Use descriptive terms to catch attention amongst hundreds of emails. Try adding subjects that describe your product or service, such as “[Product Name],” “[Company Name],” etc., or simply mentioning your area of expertise.

15) Never pitch someone

Avoid selling your audience’s soul by never putting down your own name. When you begin addressing a particular individual, it sets up expectations to close deals.

16) Remember to stay positive

Never assume that you’re going to fail. Treat everyone — including yourself — with kindness and patience throughout the process. Remain optimistic and open minded. Your attitude reflects onto your brand image, so remain humble and confident.

17) Find support groups

Sometimes, it seems like you’re alone in your quest to land new customers. That’s okay — there are plenty of resources available to help you connect with individuals looking for your goods or services. Look for local chapters of associations, organizations, clubs, forums, and LinkedIn Groups related to your niche.

18) Take advantage of social media

Social media platforms allow you to interact face-to-face with followers and share content simultaneously. Therefore, you can create meaningful conversations on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and beyond.

19) Ask questions

People love answering questions. Inquiries give those involved the opportunity to learn more about each other. But ask well thought-out questions that relate to your target market. Questions reveal what problems they struggle with currently, while allowing you to provide solutions.

20) Provide value

Offer free advice, suggestions, and recommendations via newsletters and blog posts. Consider sharing interesting articles related to your field of interest. Providing value builds trust and establishes credibility.

21) Offer incentives

Provide coupons, discounts, offers, and promos to attract more eyes. Offering bonuses encourages potential clients to check out your website, subscribe to your newsletter, and sign up for promotional materials.

22) Recruit referrals

Invite friends, colleagues, and acquaintances to join your mailing list. Referrals come with additional benefits such as access to exclusive events, promotions, and giveaways. Encourage people to spread the word about your offerings by posting them on community boards, blogs, and websites.

23) Create a simple landing page

This strategy works wonders for beginners. Creating a simple webpage allows visitors to view multiple pages and provides instant gratification. Start small by creating a separate web address for your business.

24) Build a strong foundation

Once you’ve established a solid foundation on paper, it becomes increasingly difficult to tear down during subsequent interactions. Once you’ve sent out a few emails, add consistency by maintaining consistent tone, language, and formats. This ensures your voice remains fresh and unique.

25) Practice regularly

Practice speaking to yourself aloud until you’re comfortable delivering presentations. Then practice again silently. Self-talk improves communication skills and prevents anxiety associated with public speaking.

26) Stay organized

Keep tabs on all communications so you can refer to past records later on. Create folders for contacts, projects, files, and documents. Organize paperwork and receipts according to category, date, and urgency.

27) Respond with speed

Be quick to react to emails and phone calls. Answer questions quickly, and let people know when you'll complete tasks. Timely replies demonstrate transparency and build trust among consumers.

28) Listen to voicemail carefully

Always listen to voicemails thoroughly. While listening, jot down important numbers, addresses, and names. Afterward, save these items in appropriate places to prevent missing opportunities.

29) Learn from mistakes

Mistakes happen frequently when you’re learning. Accepting responsibility for mishaps teaches you how to better deal with similar situations in the future.

30) Know when to stop calling

Calling incessantly wastes precious time and money. Wait 24 hours after responding to an inquiry to follow up unless you hear otherwise. Otherwise, you risk losing control of the situation.

31) Have faith in yourself

Have faith in your abilities and capabilities. Even though failure happens occasionally, success comes faster with persistence. Successful entrepreneurs learned early on that failing doesn’t mean defeat. They knew the difference between failures and rejections.

32) Network effectively

Networking refers to establishing relationships with influential people within your industry. To succeed in networking, make sure to cultivate genuine connections with potential partners and associates.

33) Showcase accomplishments

Demonstrate your achievements publicly to showcase your talents. Share exciting stories and anecdotes on your blog and social media accounts to gain visibility. Post photos detailing your triumphs, post videos showing results, and upload pictures demonstrating progress.

34) Be mindful of privacy laws

You've been hired for the position of Sales Representative and now it's time for you to start selling products or services. What should you say when someone asks for a meeting with one of the executives? How do you make your pitch look like it was written by someone who knows what they're doing instead of just being copied from a template? And what if you have no idea where to begin writing this introductory letter in the first place?

I'm going to share some tips with you so that even if you feel very uncomfortable about introducing yourself (and everyone feels awkward sometimes) you'll be able to get up there in front of people without looking completely incompetent.

First things first... It is important to remember that you are not responsible for making introductions. You may think that "introducing" means calling them out individually into their office but that isn't really necessary -- they know who each other are because they both come to meetings together. Just focus on saying something useful to set up future meetings.

So let's talk about what kind of thing we need to cover here. The main point of this initial contact is to establish rapport between you and another person which allows us to move forward towards creating mutually beneficial relationships. This includes talking about why you would potentially benefit each other's company, and also establishing trust through your words and actions. These two factors go hand-in-hand and cannot happen without each other. If you were trying to sell a product or service to someone you wouldn't introduce yourself right away -- you'd build up that relationship before asking for anything. So keep that in mind!

The following article contains several different scenarios and ways to handle each one. We'll break down exactly how to approach these situations below.

It doesn't matter whether you are currently employed or freelancing, your next job interview could involve setting up meetings with potential customers. In order to impress upon the hiring manager that you are capable of handling sales calls and negotiations, we recommend learning all kinds of creative approaches to introducing yourself during interviews. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

When asked "What made you apply?" simply respond with "Well, my previous boss told me that he thinks our companies' technologies would complement each others' offerings." You don't want to lie though or give any negative feedback, especially since you haven't met him yet. Also avoid giving too much information, such as telling them about your current project(s). Keep it short and sweet.

If you aren't sure what to answer here, consider coming back with questions. For example: "Is there anyone else you'd recommend speaking to regarding this opportunity?" Or maybe you could ask for advice on a specific skill related to the role itself. For instance: "Do you prefer working directly with individuals, teams, or managers?"

This question has the same purpose as #2 above. Don't worry about lying either, unless you know the interviewer is already aware of your credentials. Instead, show confidence by taking charge and leading with relevant facts. A good way to do this might be stating that you are familiar with the company name due to past experience with similar organizations ("For example, last year I worked as Senior Consultant for a large firm specializing in..."). Another option is to state that you are interested in pursuing further training and education in the given field, particularly within their area of expertise. One more thing: don't forget to mention your achievements! Showing enthusiasm for the company and its goals can easily overcome deficiencies in certain areas.

Your goal here is to get acquainted with the manager/employee in hopes of establishing a connection with him later on. To accomplish this, try to use phrases like "I am excited about helping solve problems for businesses like yours," or "In addition to bringing new business opportunities to the table, I hope to contribute to ongoing growth efforts in corporate America". All of that said, stay honest and refrain from oversharing.

Remember: your goal here is to create interest among those listening to you speak. Try to relate your answers to the general conversation happening around you. Mention a recent accomplishment or personal achievement that relates to the topic at hand. Think outside the box. Consider using humor here, if appropriate. After all, you want to connect with the listener before moving onto more serious topics. Be interesting, but not annoying.

As mentioned previously, it is crucial to keep conversations lighthearted while still maintaining professionalism. Do not reveal sensitive information until after you become friends with the individual. Even then, only discuss relevant details. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing confidentiality agreements and privacy laws. Keep in mind that you may eventually find yourself having to deal with legal matters involving this employee, client, etc., so it is best to proceed carefully.

Now that you understand the importance of proper introduction etiquette, it's time for you to practice. Go ahead and open Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Pages, or whatever application suits you most. Choose the scenario below and fill in the blanks accordingly. Now take some extra time to read through your draft once again and see if you can spot any errors.

How do I introduce myself professionally?

Good morning [your name],

Greetings / Congratulations / Hello [name]! Thank you for applying for the position of [position title]. My primary responsibility as a [job description]." Please accept my apologies for sending you this e-mail directly rather than contacting you via phone call. As you probably know, many candidates send applications online nowadays, however, I wanted to personally reach out to you in order to learn more about your background and skillset.

Sincerely, [signature]

[Name]: [email address]

[Signature]: [date]

Once you've sent off this message, sit tight and wait for the immediate response. Take note of any further followup emails and thank any co-workers who helped you along the way. Then repeat this process with every single member of the company. Once you've done this, you'll notice the entire atmosphere and culture change immediately. No longer will employees treat you as just another applicant. They'll actually care about your career trajectory and want to support you in achieving success. Now that's pretty neat!

How can I introduce myself intelligently?

Good afternoon [your name],

Thank you for reaching out to us today. Our recruiting department is located on floor 1234, room 442A. My colleagues and I will meet with you tomorrow at 10am to review the results of your resume evaluation. During your visit, please stop by receptionist number 787 in order to pick up directions to our offices. Let’s coordinate on Wednesday, March 6th at 2pm in conference room C919B. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

All the best, [title]

[Name]: [email address]

[Title]: [date]

Again, congratulations on getting in touch with us. Your resume caught our attention thanks to its strong emphasis on leadership development and problem solving capabilities. With regards to your interview, Tuesday, February 25th at 1PM in Conference Room E722C provided the perfect location and environment for discussing your qualifications. However, we regretfully had to reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances. Hopefully, we will have the chance to interview you sometime in early April. Again, welcome aboard!

Regards, [title]

[Name]: [email address]

[Title]: [date]

And finally, Good evening [your name],

Congratulations on scoring an interview with our organization. Unfortunately, we were unable to schedule an appointment with you earlier this week due to scheduling conflicts. Since we couldn't confirm your availability, we decided to hold the event on Thursday, January 31st at 8AM in conference hall J823D. Please plan on arriving 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time so that you can complete the required paperwork and sign in. Feel free to drop by receptionist number 555 on Friday, February 1st anytime between 11AM - 5PM if you require additional assistance finding parking or checking in.

Best Regards, [title]

[Name]: [email address]

[Title]: [Date]

How do you introduce yourself on your first day at work examples?

Hi [your name],

My name is Robert Smith, Director of Marketing and Advertising, and I'd like to welcome you to [company name].

Please contact me at 12345678910 if you have any questions. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks, [title]

Hello [first name],

Welcome to [company name]. My name is Mary Jones, Administrative Manager and I will serve as your direct supervisor. Please contact me at 34567891010 if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions for improving operations/productivity. Have a great day!

Cheers, [title]

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

I'm pleased to inform you that you have successfully received conditional offer letters to join [Company name]. Before beginning your duties, we encourage you to check out our facilities located near you. Click here to view maps & driving directions.

Click here to download your user manual. Thanks, [title]